AFP 'stands ready' for possible repatriation of Pinoys in Iran, Israel
A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site in Tel Aviv following a missile attack from Iran on Israel on June 16, 2025. REUTERS/ Moshe Mizrahi
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured Friday it is prepared to assist in the possible repatriation of Filipinos in Iran and Israel amid the escalating conflict between the two countries.
According to AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, the Philippine military is closely monitoring the developments in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel conflict.
"At this time, our priority is to support the Philippine government's efforts to ensure the safety and possible repatriation of Filipinos in affected areas," said Padilla.
"Should the need arise, the AFP stands ready to assist as directed. We will be guided by the decisions and policies of higher civilian authorities in all actions related to this evolving situation," she said.
Israel bombed multiple targets in Iran last Friday, calling it a "preemptive strike" to stop the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran, which maintains that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not.
The exchange of missile attacks between the two countries have already dragged on for seven days.
The DFA earlier said 26 Filipinos may be repatriated from Israel this weekend via border crossing into Jordan since flight operations are currently suspended.
PH Air Force assets ready
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) also expressed readiness to deploy aircraft and personnel for repatriation efforts.
"PAF anticipates and prepares for any eventuality that our assets may be utilized for evacuation," said PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo.
"Normally, we use our C-130s for that purpose," she added.
The Philippine government has said it is considering to raise alert levels for Israel and Iran.
Israel is currently at Alert Level 2 or restriction, which is issued if there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance, instability, or external threat.
On the other hand, Iran is under Alert Level 1 or precautionary, which is issued when there are valid signs of internal disturbance, instability, and/or external threat to the host country.
According to Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, Alert Level 3 or voluntary has yet to be declared but the Philippine government is already active as if both countries are under this status. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Hundreds of US citizens left Iran in last week, State Dept cable says
A view of the cityscape in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File WASHINGTON - Hundreds of American citizens have departed Iran using land routes over the past week since an aerial war between the Islamic Republic and Israel broke out, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Friday. While many left without problem, "numerous" citizens had faced "delays and harassment" while trying to exit, the cable said. It said, without giving further details, that one unidentified family had reported that two US citizens attempting to leave Iran had been detained. The internal cable dated June 20 underscores the challenge Washington is facing in trying to protect and assist its citizens in a country with which it has no diplomatic relations and in a war in which the United States may soon get involved. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The cable was first reported by The Washington Post. President Donald Trump and the White House said on Thursday he will decide in the next two weeks whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran war. Trump has kept the world guessing on his plans, veering from proposing a swift diplomatic solution to suggesting Washington might join the fighting on Israel's side. The air war began on June 13 when Israel attacked Iran and has alarmed a region that has been on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. Israel is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons, and said it struck Iran to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear program is peaceful, has retaliated with its own strikes on Israel. Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. Potential evacuation The US State Department in a travel alert earlier on Friday urged its citizens wishing to depart Iran to use land routes via Azerbaijan, Armenia or Turkey. Iranian airspace is closed. The US Embassy in the Turkmenistan capital of Ashgabat has requested entry for over 100 American citizens, but the Turkmenistan government has yet to give its approval, the cable said. The Islamic Republic treats Iranian-US dual citizens solely as nationals of Iran, the State Department emphasized. "US nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest and detention in Iran," the alert said. Washington is looking at ways to potentially evacuate its citizens from Israel, but it has almost no way of assisting Americans inside Iran. The two countries have had no diplomatic ties since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Thursday said the administration was looking at different ways to get US citizens out. "We're working to get military, commercial, charter flights and cruise ships for evac," he said in an X post, urging US citizens and green card holders to complete an online form. As of Friday, more than 6,400 US citizens filled out that form for Israel, a separate internal department email seen by Reuters said. The form allows the agency to predict an approximate figure for potential evacuations. "Approximately 300-500 US citizens per day would potentially require departure assistance," said the internal email, also dated June 20 and marked "sensitive". The State Department does not have official figures but thousands of US citizens are thought to be residing in Iran and hundreds of thousands in Israel. Israel's strikes over the last week have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Israel says Iranian attacks have killed 24 civilians in Israel. "The US Department of State received no reports of US citizen casualties in Israel or Iran," the second email said. —Reuters
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
21 PH gov't officials stranded in Israel arrive in PH
The 21 Filipino government officials who got stranded in Israel amid tensions with Iran arrived in Manila on Saturday morning. The officials — 17 local government officials who attended an agricultural technology training and four dairy industry specialists of the Department of Agriculture — were met at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Of the 17 officials, two were congressmen, nine mayors, four vice mayors, and two regional directors. It was an emotional homecoming for the stranded officials, as seen in a video taken by GMA Integrated News reporter Bea Pinlac. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss earlier said the 21 Filipinos were attended to by the Israeli government. "All of them have been taken care of by the Israeli government, and we are also looking for ways to send them back to the Philippines. This is our responsibility and our commitment… I can tell you that they are getting fed, lodging, and whatever they need. We are catering for, and I know that they are doing fine. Of course, it's not a pleasant situation,' Fluss said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco "Kiko" Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said the stranded Filipinos were fearful as their hotels were bombed. The officials took a land trip to Jordan, then went to Dubai for the flight back to Manila. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- GMA Network
Pope Leo warns of AI risks to young brains
Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican, June 15, 2025. REUTERS/ Yara Nardi VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV warned on Friday of the potential consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) on the intellectual development of young people, saying it could damage their grip on reality. Since his election as head of the Catholic Church on May 8, the pope -- a mathematics graduate -- has repeatedly warned of the risks associated with AI but this is the first time he has spoken out exclusively on the subject. "All of us... are concerned for children and young people, and the possible consequences of the use of AI on their intellectual and neurological development," the American pope warned in a written message to participants at the second Rome Conference on AI. "No generation has ever had such quick access to the amount of information now available through AI. "But again, access to data -- however extensive -- must not be confused with intelligence," Leo told business leaders, policymakers and researchers attending the annual conference. While welcoming the use of AI in "enhancing research in healthcare and scientific discovery", the pope said it "raises troubling questions on its possible repercussions" on humanity's "distinctive ability to grasp and process reality". Pope Leo himself has been the target of deep fake videos and audio messages published on social media in recent weeks. An AFP investigation earlier this month identified dozens of YouTube and TikTok pages broadcasting AI-generated messages masquerading as genuine comments from the pope in English or Spanish. A survey from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism this week found significant numbers of young people in particular were using chatbots to get headlines and updates. The Catholic Church has attempted to influence ethical thinking surrounding the use of new technologies in recent years under Leo's predecessor Francis. In 2020, the Vatican initiated the Rome Call for AI Ethics -- signed by Microsoft, IBM, the United Nations, Italy and a host of universities -- urging transparency and respect for privacy. — Agence France-Presse
